we decided to have our teens

[houseelf]

In theory, ITA with making older kids take on more house responsibility. The 13 and 8 y.o. clean the upstairs bathrooms, vacuum, set the table, load and unload the dishwasher, and some yard work. As a result, we have broken many dishes we had to buy a new set from IKEA, chemicals have been left at a level that the preschooler can get at, the floor looks like the kids ran the vacuum over it in two swipes only, and occasionally there is crusted food on a plate when I get it out of the cabinet.

Making the kids do these chores is an ENORMOUS pita and requires more time and energy than if I actually did it myself. I freaking hate being a police officer. <Paging super nanny> I feel like I have to get them to master these chores first before I unleash them on the washer and dryer.

Like anything in life, the theory and practice of something are two entirely separate beasts. I cringe when I think about this applied to laundry.

[Vanquisher]

I clearly suck as a parent. I need to teach my kids these skills.

[GreyhoundsRUs]

C had no skills. He turned out ok

[spaz]

PLEASE don't give up!!!!!!!! My children are 18, 16 and 11 and I like many of you despaired but I am now seeing fruits!!!!

When the boys were 13 and 11, I think, I decided to have them do their laundry. ( They had always put it away.) So I stood over each of them and taught them how to sort and run the machine. Then I made the oldest do some on one day and the younger one on the other day.. Only problem was that younger boy wouldn't do it in a timely fashion and it made oldest mad. So, he took it over. For the last 3 or 4 years, every Monday morning he sorts the three kids' laundry and does it all day. ( We homeschool, so they are home...well he does do dual credit on Tues/Thurs.) He piles it in the living room. In the evening, he hangs it all up. ( He refuses to let middle one help as he won't do it "right." They share all their clothes except jeans. ) My daughter has to hang her stuff up.

My middle one has actually started to do some of his own stuff occasionally. When oldest goes off to college this fall, I will teach my younger one. The only laundry I will ever do again is mine and my husband's!!!! So don't despair. It is more work at first, but it is SO worth it!!!

[PrincessFiona]

We are having our new machines delivered today. They have a larger capacity and super-reinforced doors!

[HouseofWool]

Is it bad that I am excited that C is nearly old enough to start teaching these life skills? I vividly remember being roughly 15 and knowing how to do most basic household cleaning tasks. Not to say that I did them well or with enthusiasm, but I knew how and was responsible for doing them. If I decided not to do laundry, then none of us had clean clothes.